What exactly is Calabrian chili paste and where can I find it?

Calabrian chili paste is made from hot peppers grown in Calabria, southern Italy. It has a complex, fruity heat that's distinctive from other hot sauces. Look for it in Italian specialty stores, gourmet markets, or online retailers like Amazon. Brands like Tutto Calabria and Bomba are excellent choices.

Can I substitute something else for Calabrian chili paste?

While the unique flavor is hard to replicate exactly, you can substitute with a mixture of regular tomato paste, red pepper flakes, and a touch of red wine vinegar. Start with 1 tablespoon tomato paste, ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, and ¼ teaspoon vinegar for a similar effect.

Is this dish too spicy for kids?

At the lower end (1 tablespoon of chili paste), this dish has a pleasant warmth rather than overwhelming heat. For family meals, you can set aside some butter without the chili paste for kids' portions, or increase the tomato paste while reducing the chili paste.

Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Absolutely! Just thaw them completely in the refrigerator overnight or under cold running water, then pat them dry before cooking. Frozen shrimp are often of excellent quality since they're typically frozen right after catching.

Garlicky Calabrian Chili Pasta with Shrimp Recipe

Name: Garlicky Calabrian Chili Pasta with Shrimp Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 6 tablespoons salted butter, softened; 4-5 cloves garlic; 2 teaspoons tomato paste; 1-3 tablespoons Calabrian pepper paste (see notes); 2 tablespoons parsley; Zest of 1 lemon; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; ¼ teaspoon EACH: black pepper AND hot paprika; 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined; 10 ounces linguine or fettuccine; Shaved parmesan, for serving

This Garlicky Calabrian Chili Pasta with Shrimp is a game-changer for pasta night! Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish delivers bold flavors with a perfect balance of heat from the Calabrian chili, brightness from lemon, and richness from butter. The sauce clings beautifully to the pasta while plump shrimp add a touch of elegance. It’s sophisticated enough for weekend entertaining but simple enough for your busiest weeknights.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick and Satisfying: From start to finish in 30 minutes, making it perfect for those evenings when you want something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen.
Bold Flavors: The combination of spicy Calabrian chili, fresh lemon, and garlic creates a sauce that’s bursting with character – no bland pasta here!
Impressive Results: Despite its simplicity, this dish looks and tastes like something from an upscale Italian restaurant. Your family or guests will think you spent much more time on it.
Customizable Heat: You control the spice level by adjusting the amount of Calabrian chili paste, making it perfect for both heat-seekers and those who prefer milder flavors.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Butter: Creates the luscious base for our sauce. Using salted butter adds an extra dimension of flavor.
Garlic: Plenty of it! Brings that unmistakable aromatic quality that makes Italian food so irresistible.
Tomato Paste: Adds richness and umami depth, helping to balance the heat from the chili paste.
Calabrian Chili Paste: The star ingredient! This Italian pepper paste brings complex heat with fruity undertones.
Parsley: Adds freshness and color, cutting through the richness of the butter.
Lemon: Both zest and juice brighten everything up and create balance with the rich butter and spicy chili.
Black Pepper and Hot Paprika: For additional layers of warmth and complexity.
Shrimp: Provides protein and a delicate sweetness that pairs beautifully with the spicy sauce.
Pasta: Long strands like linguine or fettuccine are perfect for grabbing onto the flavorful sauce.
Parmesan: Adds a salty, nutty finish that brings everything together.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Different Proteins

Chicken: Slice boneless chicken breasts thinly and cook them just as you would the shrimp.
Scallops: For a luxurious twist, use large sea scallops instead of shrimp.
Vegetarian Version: Skip the seafood and add sautéed mushrooms for a meaty texture.

Pasta Options

Shorter Pasta: Try rigatoni or penne if you prefer shapes that catch pockets of sauce.
Whole Wheat: Use whole wheat pasta for extra fiber and nutty flavor.
Gluten-Free: Any good quality gluten-free pasta works well here.

Add-Ins

Cherry Tomatoes: Halve and toss in at the end for bursts of freshness.
Spinach: Wilt in a handful of baby spinach for color and nutrition.
Toasted Breadcrumbs: Sprinkle on top for delightful crunch.

How to Make Garlicky Calabrian Chili Pasta with Shrimp

Step 1: Prepare the Chili Butter

In a food processor, combine softened butter, garlic, tomato paste, Calabrian chili paste, parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice, black pepper, and hot paprika. Pulse until everything is well combined into a whipped, flavorful butter. Set aside.

Step 2: Cook the Shrimp

Heat a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of your prepared chili butter and let it melt. Add the shrimp, cooking just until they curl into a ‘C’ shape (about 2 minutes per side). Remove to a plate and keep warm. Keep that flavorful skillet unwashed for the next step!

Step 3: Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt it generously, and cook your pasta according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water.

Step 4: Combine Everything

Return the shrimp skillet to medium-low heat. Add the drained pasta, 3 tablespoons of your chili butter, and a splash of pasta water. Toss everything together, adding more pasta water as needed to create a silky sauce that coats each strand. Taste and adjust with more butter or pasta water as needed.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Add the shrimp back to the skillet and toss gently to warm through. Serve immediately topped with freshly shaved parmesan.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Don’t Overcook the Shrimp: They cook very quickly and continue cooking slightly after removal from heat. Perfect shrimp should be pink, opaque, and just curled into a ‘C’ shape – not a tight ‘O’.
Reserve More Pasta Water Than You Think: This starchy liquid is magic for creating silky sauces. You might not use it all, but it’s better to have extra.
Make the Butter Ahead: The Calabrian chili butter can be made up to 3 days in advance and refrigerated. Let it come to room temperature before using.
Taste as You Go: Calabrian chili paste can vary in heat level between brands, so adjust according to your taste.
Quality Matters: With so few ingredients, use the best quality you can afford – especially the Calabrian chili paste and parmesan.

How to Serve

This pasta dish is delightful on its own, but here are some perfect pairings:

Side Dishes

Serve with a simple arugula salad dressed with lemon and olive oil to cut through the richness of the pasta.

Wine Pairing

A crisp Pinot Grigio or unoaked Chardonnay balances the spice beautifully. For red wine lovers, a light Sangiovese works wonderfully.

Bread

Crusty Italian bread is essential for soaking up every last bit of that incredible sauce!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The flavors actually develop nicely overnight!

Freezing

I don’t recommend freezing this dish as the texture of both the pasta and shrimp will change significantly.

Reheating

Gently warm leftovers in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of water to revive the sauce. You can also microwave at 50% power, stirring occasionally.

FAQs

What exactly is Calabrian chili paste and where can I find it?

Calabrian chili paste is made from hot peppers grown in Calabria, southern Italy. It has a complex, fruity heat that’s distinctive from other hot sauces. Look for it in Italian specialty stores, gourmet markets, or online retailers like Amazon. Brands like Tutto Calabria and Bomba are excellent choices.
Can I substitute something else for Calabrian chili paste?

While the unique flavor is hard to replicate exactly, you can substitute with a mixture of regular tomato paste, red pepper flakes, and a touch of red wine vinegar. Start with 1 tablespoon tomato paste, ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, and ¼ teaspoon vinegar for a similar effect.
Is this dish too spicy for kids?

At the lower end (1 tablespoon of chili paste), this dish has a pleasant warmth rather than overwhelming heat. For family meals, you can set aside some butter without the chili paste for kids’ portions, or increase the tomato paste while reducing the chili paste.
Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Absolutely! Just thaw them completely in the refrigerator overnight or under cold running water, then pat them dry before cooking. Frozen shrimp are often of excellent quality since they’re typically frozen right after catching.

Final Thoughts

This Garlicky Calabrian Chili Pasta with Shrimp brings restaurant quality to your dinner table with surprisingly little effort. The bold, complex flavors will have everyone thinking you spent hours in the kitchen, when in reality you’ve whipped it up in just 30 minutes. It’s the perfect balance of spicy, tangy, and rich – and once you try it, I guarantee it will become a regular in your dinner rotation!